88 



The resignations of Dr. Forrest Shreve, Edwin D. Hull and L. S. 

 Hopkins were read and accepted. 



The first paper on the announced scientific program was read 

 by Dr. J. C. Arthur, on "The Nature of Species in the Rusts." 



Dr. E. W. Olive followed with a paper on "Some Cytological 

 Features of Porto Rican Endophyllums." An abstract of this 

 paper follows: 



"Certain facts concerning the comparative cytology of all six 

 of the species now known were presented. Attention was called 

 in particular to the number of nuclei occurring in the mycelium 

 and pseudoparenchyma, as well as to certain noteworthy features 

 of the haustoria, spores, peridium and intercalary cells. For 

 example, the mycelium of Botryorhiza is 5-7 micr. in diameter, 

 while that of the other Endophyllums does not exceed 3 mic. 

 Further, the large botryose haustoria of Botryorhiza almost fill 

 the host cell, being 10-14 ""^ic. in diameter. Although the sexual 

 fusions were not studied, the likelihood of such fusions taking 

 place at the base of the sori was pointed out in connection with 

 those three Endophyllums which possess mycelia with uninucleate 

 cells; in the other three instances with binucleate mycelia, the 

 fusions are undoubtedly pushed back, taking place some time 

 before sorus formation." 



Meeting adjourned. B. O. Dodge, 



Secretary 



February 13, 191 7 



The meeting was held in the American Museum of Natural 

 History at 8:15 P.M. President Richards occupied the chair. 

 There were thirty persons present. 



The transaction of business was dispensed with and the an- 

 nounced scientific program was carried out. Dr. W. A. Murrill 

 and Dr. H. B. Douglass gave a joint paper on "Mushroom Poison- 

 ing." Dr. Murrill discussed a number of edible and poisonous 

 species of mushrooms, illustrating his descriptions with colored 

 lantern slides. Dr. Douglass gave an account of a case of mush- 

 room poisoning of himself and other members of his family, due 

 to eating quantities of a species of Paiiaeolus, identified by Dr. 



